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Young female adult reading a magazine whilst laid on a grey sofa with her dog

Smiling mum sat on sofa looking on to her young daughter and dog playing on the sofa

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New sofa tips for pet owners

Choosing a new sofa is an exciting time - but for pet owners, there are some extra things to think about to ensure they’re making the right choice. Check out our top sofa tips for pet owners that’ll reduce sofa-related stress - from which sofa fabrics to avoid, to safety considerations around your pets.

Large black and white dog laid on a blue velet sofa with a red throw

Get your pet their very own sofa

The best way to avoid pet damage to your new sofa? Get your pet their very own sofa or bed to enjoy! Keeping them off your sofa entirely will ensure it looks its best for the long haul - but your pet deserves somewhere comfy to hang out too. From giant machine-washable dog beds to radiator-mounted cat caves, there are plenty of options they’ll surely enjoy (though we can’t guarantee they won’t prefer your clean laundry). Here at DFS we even stock a range of miniature sofas specially designed for your pets - all handmade to order just for you - so you don’t have to compromise on style one bit.

2. Know what fabrics to avoid

Let’s be real here - a sofa that’s regularly had a dog or cat hanging out on it will show wear and tear faster than one that hasn’t. However, some fabrics are less suitable than others, and are best avoided! It’s best to stay away from decorative weaves or velvets, as these can make any damage more obvious and act like a magnet for pet hair. And remember all pets are different, so take the time to think about how your pet has reacted to other materials in your house. If your cat has ruined a leather footstool in the past, for example - it’s probably best to avoid leather this time!

Young female adult laying on a grey sofa with her dog whilst reading a magazine

3. Deal with damage right away

Particularly if you’ve taken out a Sofacare insurance policy, it’s imperative to deal with any damage right away. While our plans do cover pet scratches or bites, they don’t cover pet damage that has built up over time - which is why you must report these straight away to ensure a repair can be made. Even if you don’t opt for our insurance, pet damage may deteriorate further over time and become more obvious - plus, catching scratches or bites early can help you keep a closer eye on your pet’s behaviour around that area, hopefully allowing you to prevent them from causing further damage.

Black recliner sofa with hidden storage compartment in a cosy living room

4. Always close and turn off recliners when not in use

Recliner sofas are amazingly comfortable, but they do come with additional safety considerations. Particularly when pets are around, you should never leave your recliner sofa open while unattended, and always check your pets have not wandered under the footrest or inside the frame before closing it! Power recliners should also be turned off when you are out of the room, so your pet can’t accidentally nudge the buttons and turn it on themselves - sounds unlikely, but it can happen!

Cosy living room finished a purple throw and scatter cushions with a wooden table topped with candles

5. Cover your sofa when you’re not around

If you really want to make sure your sofa fabric stays pristine, you can always cover it with throws and blankets. This is particularly useful for when you’re out of the house - knowing your sofa is covered up means you can relax in the knowledge that your dog or cat will find it very hard to damage something they can’t reach! Blankets and throws can also be easily thrown in the wash, making it easier to deal with that pesky pet hair.

Small dog laid on a beige sofa with a soft green dog toy

6. Provide plenty of enrichment toys and scratching posts

The best way to stop your pet scratching your sofa? Give them something else to scratch. Whether it’s enrichment toys to keep them busy, or scratching posts that are much more satisfying for sharp claws - make sure your pets have plenty of other things to keep them entertained, and your new sofa will thank you for it.

a young family and their pet dog laughing and playing whilst sat on a sofa

Tips on choosing a sofa that’s right for your pet

All pets are different, and paw-rents of dogs, cats, birds and even rabbits have different needs when it comes to sofas! Let’s dive into our sofa shopping tips for different types of pet owners.

Sofa considerations for dog owners

Do you let your dog up on the sofa? If you think there’s nothing better than a cuddle with your furry friend - you should know, your sofa will likely show wear and tear faster than someone who doesn’t allow dogs on their sofa. This might include scratches and snags from their claws - but these are more visible on some fabrics than others. We recommend dog owners avoid high piles like velvet, ultra smooth treated leathers, more textured fabrics like boucle, or those which use the weave as a feature - like herringbone or basket weaves. These fabrics are less forgiving of scratches, snags and dirty paws - plus, loose hair will stick to them, so you’ll forever be brushing your sofa down!

Sofa considerations for cat owners

While they can be less boisterous than dogs, cats can easily cause damage to your sofa - their sharp claws make some fabrics prone to snagging, and of course… Cats love to scratch! You likely know the kinds of fabrics your kitty enjoys getting their claws into, so it's always best to avoid these, and provide plenty of better alternatives - like scratching posts and enrichment toys. In particular, it’s recommended to avoid leathers (which are like catnip for some felines, whose claws can easily rip through the surface), more textured fabrics like boucle, or those which use the weave as a feature - like herringbone or basket weaves. These fabrics are less forgiving of scratches, snags and grubby paws - plus, you’ll forever be trying to brush away that pesky shedding fur!

Sofa considerations for rabbit and guinea pig owners

Leather also isn’t a great option for rabbit or guinea pig owners - it’s a very tempting fabric to chew for them, and bites will be very noticeable, particularly on smoother leathers. Rabbits and guinea pigs love to hide (and chew things while they’re hiding) so we recommend picking a sofa that’s low to the ground - rather than off-the-floor - so they can’t disappear under it. Recliners might not be the best option, either - of all household pets, rabbits and guinea pigs are the most likely to get trapped inside, so if you do opt for a recliner, being extra vigilant of where your pet is at all times is very important.